Happy Birthday: Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Assi Azar

We all know him from television, radio, and Israel’s biggest reality shows, but how much do you really know about Assi Azar? On the occasion of his birthday, we went back to the most interesting milestones in his life, his childhood in Holon, his breakthrough on “Exit,” the huge success of “Big Brother,” and the family he built with his partner.

1. He was born in Holon to a Bukharian and Yemeni family Assi Azar was born on June 10, 1979, in Holon. His mother is of Bukharian origin and his father is of Yemeni origin, and he grew up in a simple, warm family home, something he has spoken about often over the years. Already in high school, he studied film and began dreaming about the entertainment world.

2. Before television, he wrote on a website Even before he became known on television, Azar posted stories and poems he wrote on the website “Bama Hadasha.” It was one of the first platforms where he received exposure and feedback from the public. Assi Azar (Photo: Dana Levi)

3. His big break came from “Exit” In 2004, he took part in a competition to find a new host for the youth program “Exit,” and won. Very quickly, he became one of the most recognizable faces of the youth generation of the early 2000s.

4. “Big Brother” changed his career Moving on to host “Big Brother” alongside Erez Tal turned him into a prime-time Israeli star. For years, he was one of the most prominent hosts on television, and the audience especially connected with the humor and emotion he brought to the screen.

5. He is also a successful creator and screenwriter Beyond hosting, Assi Azar wrote and created the successful series “Be’Otah,” which was also sold for international adaptations, and later created the youth series “Metukim,” in which he also appeared as an actor in the role of a social worker. Assi Azar and Rotem Sela (Screenshot from Rotem Sela’s Instagram)

6. His friendship with Rotem Sela became a brand For more than a decade, Azar and Rotem Sela have co-hosted major shows such as “The Next Star,” “Ninja Israel,” and additional projects. Their chemistry became one of the most recognizable things in Israeli television.

7. He came out in 2005 In an interview with the media, Azar came out as gay, a step that was considered highly significant at the time for a major figure in Israeli prime time. Since then, he has become one of the most prominent voices for the LGBTQ community in Israel.

8. He hosted Eurovision 2019 Assi Azar was one of the hosts of Eurovision 2019, held in Israel, alongside Lucy Ayoub, Bar Refaeli, and Erez Tal, one of the biggest television events ever held in the country. Assi Azar and husband Albert (Orr Geffen)

9. His love story began in Spain In 2016, he married Spanish architect Albert Escola in Barcelona. Later, he created the documentary film “He Is Also My God,” in which he spoke about relationships, religion, and personal identity.

10. Today he is a father of two After a surrogacy process, Azar and his partner became parents to a daughter in 2022 and a son in 2024. The two live in Tel Aviv-Yafo and often share family moments on social media.

Assi Azar has managed to go from a young man with a dream in Holon to one of the most influential people in Israeli television, combining a successful career, personal creativity, and social activism over the years.